Intro+Letter

Dear Reader,

I hope you will see through my portfolio how this class has changed me. I think I am leaving this class different than when I entered it and for that I am thankful. Personally, I think I was able to wrestle with how different education is for students who speak English as a second language and how linguistics affect education as a whole. I had the opportunity to think through and struggle with my own past experiences in a way that I hadn’t before. This class created space in my life for me to really sit down with these ideas and think through them in a way I hadn’t done before. I feel passionate about linguistics in a way that I didn’t know I could. The material we studied in class alongside the LD study really helped me understand how to be a better teacher to the students I am currently working with and I know it will play a part in the way I teach going forward as well.

At the beginning of the semester we heard what the three essential questions were: How does students’ language development affect their learning; how can we bridge the gap between home and school literacies and how are social identity power and academic literacies related and I can honestly say now that I can answer these questions more thoroughly than I imagined I would be able too at the beginning of the semester. It was a gift to be able to think through these in my final portfolio because it tied a bow on all of my thoughts throughout the semester.

The LD study was one of my favorite parts of this semester because we got to put our study to practice through class lessons. I had never done this before but due to the nature of the non-profit job I spend a lot of time with students outside of the classroom. I do feel like I know them well and so it was neat to think through how I could teach them in a more practical way. I was very encouraged and it has given me a new excitement for planning lessons that will benefit students and be engaging to them. This part of the semester was great for me because practical application is the way I learn best.

I also learned a lot about technology this semester. This is slightly embarrassing to admit but I have a very hard time with technology and so being forced to use it a lot this semester was helpful. I had never done anything like put together a movie or create a wiki portfolio. I have always been very basic in my understanding of technology in the classroom and I am looking forward to making digital stories and learning how to incorporate technology. It was very hard for me to put the story together but it was great to have to work through it and add the voice over. It made this type of technology seem manageable. I would have probably never taught myself that if I hadn’t had a reason.

This class let me think through the bigger issues I have been facing as a new teacher in a new environment and allowed me to think of ways I can change the way I teach. I think I will be a much better teacher after learning the importance of linguistics. I am more passionate about getting to the root of the issue and really helping students process what is going on for them in their linguistic journey.

One of my goals moving forward with language and literacy is too always get to know my students past with language in order to help them grow as learners. I also hope to be the type of teacher who explains thoroughly the reasons behind why I make corrections so that I can help a student understand what is really going on. Another goal I have is to bridge the gap through home and school literacies for students by being committed to them growing throughout the year they are with me, from whatever place they may be starting. I want to help understand what the gap is for them and meet them where they are at in order to help them grow.

I am hoping my portfolio reveals to you how much I enjoyed this class. I learned a lot about myself and about the way I want to teach. I am grateful for what this class taught my and how it will shape me as a teacher.

Sincerely, Alison Taylor